Auction systems and methods for selecting inserts for direct mailings

ABSTRACT

A method of allocating excess space associated with a primary component includes determining the excess space associated with the primary component, identifying at least one information insert compatible with the excess space, providing an output advertising the excess space, and receiving a request in response to the output. The request may be based at least in part on the at least one information insert. The method also includes associating the at least one information insert with the primary component.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation, and claims the benefit, of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/739,905, filed Apr. 25, 2007, entitled“Auction Systems And Methods For Selecting Inserts For Direct Mailings.”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/739,905 is a continuation, andclaims the benefit, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/115,079,filed Apr. 25, 2005, entitled “Auction Systems And Methods For SelectingInserts For Direct Mailings,” which is a continuation-in-part, andclaims the benefit, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,818,filed Sep. 5, 2003, entitled “Systems And Methods For Allocating ExcessSpace Associated With Mailings,” which is a continuation-in-part, andclaims the benefit, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,887,filed Apr. 14, 2003, entitled “Systems For Assembling Mailings AndMethods For External Control Thereof,” the entirety of each of which areincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Further, the present application is related to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/029,122, filed Dec. 21, 2001, entitled “Sheet FoldingSystems And Methods,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,589, filedNov. 8, 2001, entitled “System And Methods Of Providing Inserts IntoEnvelopes,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/036,653, filed Nov. 8,2001, entitled “Mail Handling Equipment And Methods,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/028,449, filed Dec. 19, 2001, entitled“Real-Time Intelligent Packet-Collation Systems And Methods,” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/028,888, filed Dec. 19, 2001, entitled“Weight Measuring Systems And Methods,” and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/232,045, filed Dec. 19, 2001, entitled “Weight Measuring SystemsAnd Methods For Weighing Items.” Each of the aforementioned applicationsare assigned to an entity common herewith, and the entirety thereof isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are related generally to systemsand equipment used in processing mass mailings of consumer relatedinformation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention arerelated to auctioning systems and methods for selecting informationinserts to include with mass mailings.

A large number of companies and organizations provide direct mailings tovarious consumers and other recipients. These typically include a pieceof information related to the particular recipient at a cost related tothe weight of the piece of information and associated packaging. Thisapproach can be costly. To spread the costs, a company sending a primarypiece of information may assemble information from other venders andincludes that information in with its mailings. However, excess whitespace and weight space of the mailing may still go unused. Thus, amongother things, there exists a need in the art to address theaforementioned limitation.

Yet further, providing a large amount of irrelevant or less relevantdirect mailings may cause recipients to disregard all direct mailingsthrough believing that they are generally irrelevant and do not warrantreading. Additionally, a large amount of direct mailings are detrimentalto the recipients and the public in general as they must be disposed of,and ultimately end up in land fills.

Some companies that already send direct mailings have found itadvantageous to include various additional information with suchmailings. As just one example, various credit card companies provideoffers with statements that are sent to credit card holders. An abilityto provide increased control over the recipients receiving a particulardirect mailing can thus be useful to such companies. One such company,First Data Corporation, the assignee of the present invention sendsmillions of statements out each month to credit card users. In additionto these statements, various additional information is included with atleast some of these statements. FDC has developed its First DataDecisionQuest® product that allows a credit card company processing withFDC to choose which information is to be included with a givenstatement.

In light of these developments, improvements are needed that allow thevalue of advertising space to be fully exploited.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of allocatingexcess space associated with a primary component. The method includesdetermining the excess space associated with the primary component,identifying at least one information insert compatible with the excessspace, providing an output advertising the excess space, and receiving arequest in response to the output. The request may be based at least inpart on the at least one information insert. The method also includesassociating the at least one information insert with the primarycomponent.

In some embodiments, the excess space is excess weight space, in whichcase associating the at least one information insert with the primarycomponent may include sending a control signal to an insertion systemthat indicates the at least one information insert. The insertion systemmay be a multi-bay insertion system and one of the bays of the multi-bayinsertion system may include the insert. The method of claim 1, whereinthe excess space comprises excess white space. The primary component maybe an account statement, a bill, a letter, and/or the like. The insertmay be an advertisement. The request may be a first request from a firstentity in which case the method may include receiving a second requestfrom a second entity in response to the output and selecting between thefirst request from the first entity and the second request from thesecond entity to identify a selected request. The first request from thefirst entity may indicate a first amount to be exchanged for access tothe excess space and the second request from the second entity mayindicate a second amount to be exchanged for access to the excess space,in which case selecting between the first request from the first entityand the second request from the second entity to identify a selectedrequest includes comparing the first amount to be exchanged for accessto the excess space and the second amount to be exchanged for access tothe excess space. The method may include access a priority definition,in which case identifying the at least one information insert compatiblewith the excess space may be based at least in part on the prioritydefinition. The priority definition may include one or more elementssuch as a relationship between the primary component and one or moreinformation inserts, a relationship between an entity associated withthe primary component and entities associated with one or moreinformation inserts, an amount of excess space required by one or moreinformation inserts, and/or the like.

In still other embodiments, a system for allocating excess spaceassociated with a primary component includes an insertion system, aprimary component, and a microprocessor associated with a computerreadable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructionsexecutable by the microprocessor to determine the excess spaceassociated with the primary component, identify at least one informationinsert compatible with the excess space, provide an output indicatingthe excess space associated with the primary component, and receive arequest in response to the output indicating the excess space associatedwith the primary component. The request may be based at least in part onthe at least one information insert. The instructions executable by themicroprocessor also send a control signal to the insertion system. Thecontrol signal indicates the at least one information insert.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methodsfor assembling a mailing. The mailing can include one or more offeritems along with one or more inserts. Various embodiments of the presentinvention provide for determining which inserts are to be combined witha given offer item, and then effectuating the assembly of the mailingsvia a computer controlled inserter. The determination of what inserts toinclude can be made by applying a rule set to a decision informationupon reception of an external tickler. Thus, for example, the rule setcan indicate that a particular insert is to be provided to allrecipient's within a given zipcode that are over a defined age. Asanother alternative, the rule set can indicate that a recipient with ahigh income is to receive a heavier, more costly version of an insert.Using such an invention, the process of preparing offer items and/orinserting a defined insert set with an offer item can be computercontrolled, and tailored to creating effective, direct mailings toindividual recipients.

In operation, an entity other than the entity performing the assemblyprovides an external tickler, and in some cases one or more of a ruleset and decision information. The rule set is applied to the decisioninformation, and the results are transmitted to processing equipmentincluding inserters, folders, printers, and/or stuffers for assembling acustomized mailing for the indicated recipient.

The determined insert set can be assembled and/or folded, and associatedwith an offer item addressed to the recipient. To this end, a folder canbe used in relation to the present invention to prepare offer itemsand/or inserts to be included in a particular mailing item. Thus, forexample, a set of unfolded and/or unprinted offer items can be folded inpreparation for insertion into envelopes by an inserter. In addition, aninserter can be used to assemble the inserts and offer items, and stuffthe assembled items into an envelope.

One particular embodiment of the present invention provides a system forselecting inserts that includes a multi-bay insert holder and an offeritem associated offer item holder. Such an offer item holder can be oneof the insert holders or a separate device where the offer item is held.In one particular instance, the offer item holder is a conveyor belt,and the insert holder is a bay or bin loaded with a number of theinserts. The system further includes a microprocessor that can access acomputer readable medium comprising software. The software is executableby the microprocessor to receive an external tickler, receive one ormore decision rules, receive decision information, and upon receivingthe external tickler, apply the decision rule to the decisioninformation. In addition, the software is executable to send a controlsignal to the multi-bay insert holder that indicates an insertassociated with the multi-bay insert holder to be associated with theoffer item. In some instances, the external tickler includes anindication of a scheduled offer item for a particular recipient. Such ascheduled offer item can be, for example, an account statement, a bill,an appointment notification, or the like.

In some instances, the decision rule indicates a threshold amount of thedecision information at which the insert is to be provided to therecipient. Thus, for example, a particular insert may be provided to allindividuals within a particular geographic location that are over agethirty. Examples of decision information can thus include location andage information for a group of individuals. Other decision informationcan include, but is not limited to, a credit limit, a personal income,an account type, a credit rating, an account balance, a number ofdependents, and the like. In some instances, a plurality of data pointswithin the decision information are operated on by the decision rule.For example, some decision rules operate on both age and income, whileother decision rules operate on account type and age. Based on thisdisclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate a myriad ofdecision rules and decision information that can be used in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

In some instances, the system includes two microprocessor based systemswhere one of the microprocessor based systems is locally coupled to themulti-bay insert holder, and the other is communicably coupled to thefirst microprocessor via a communication network. In such a system, thecontrol signal can include a data packet provided by the communicablycoupled microprocessor based system to the locally maintainedmicroprocessor based system. In some cases, the control signal furtherincludes an electrical signal based on the data packet and provided tothe insert holder.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selectinginserts to be included with an offer item. Such methods includereceiving an external tickler and a decision rule. Based on the externaltickler, the decision rule is applied to a decision information tocreate an insert set. The insert set includes at least one insert to beassociated with an offer item. In some cases, the decision informationis provided from an external source, while in other cases, the decisioninformation is provided by an entity associating the inserts with offeritems. The method further includes associating the insert set with theoffer item.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention provide methods forpreparing customized insert sets for distribution with offer items. Suchmethods include providing a control interface that is operable toreceive an external tickler and a decision rule. in some cases, thecontrol interface is a web page maintained by the entity associatinginserts with offer items. The method further includes receiving theexternal tickler, and the decision rule. Based on the external tickler,the decision rule is applied to a decision information to create aninsert set that includes at least one insert to be included with anoffer item. The insert set is also associated with the offer item.

Some embodiments of the present invention also provide systems andmethods for assembling a mailing, maximizing the benefit of the mailing,and/or distributing costs associated with the mailing. The mailing caninclude one or more primary components along with one or more inserts.Various embodiments of the present invention provide for determining anyexcess white space and/or weight space associated with a given mailing,and identifying one or more inserts and/or information that can beincorporated with the mailing. Further, in some embodiments, acompetitive bid system is implemented to allow for the disposition ofavailable white space and/or weight space.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems for allocatingan excess space associated with a primary component to one or moreinformation inserts. Such excess space can include excess weight of anoverall mailing such that a paper (or plastic) insert can be included tofill the excess weight. Alternatively, or in addition, such excess spacecan include excess white space included on the primary component itself.Thus, additional printing can be included on an open white space area.Also, as used herein, a primary component can be any document or itemthat is scheduled to be sent to a given recipient. Thus, for example, aprimary component can be a credit card, a credit card statement, aninsurance bill, a utility bill, a driver's license renewal, an incometax form, or the like. Further, as used herein, an information insertcan be any secondary information, document, or card provided to therecipient ancillary to the primary component. For example, aninformation insert can be an advertisement, an informational document, anotice, a return address envelope, an identification or value card, afalse credit card provided as an incentive to obtain an actual creditcard, a portion of the primary component itself including aninformational or advertising message, and/or the like. Such informationinserts can include an informational message printed on the associatedprimary component, or informational messages displayed on a separatestock and inserted with the primary component. Also, as used herein,informational messages can be text, color coding, graphics, or anotherwise communicative message.

Such allocation systems can include an insertion system, a primarycomponent, and a microprocessor. The allocation systems further includea computer readable medium that comprises instructions executable by themicroprocessor to: determine the excess space associated with theprimary component; identify at least one information insert compatiblewith the excess space; and send a control signal to the insertion systemthat indicates the information insert(s) to be included. In oneparticular case, the insertion system is a multi-bay insertion system,and one of the bays of the multi-bay insertion system includes a type ofinformation insert intended to occupy excess space in the form of weightspace.

In some cases, the computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions executable by the microprocessor to provide an outputindicating the excess space associated with the primary component, andto receive a request in response to the output indicating the excessspace associated with the primary component. The aforementioned processof identifying the information insert(s) for inclusion can be based atleast in part on the request. In particular instances, a number ofrequests can be received for the same identified excess space, and theinstructions can be further executable to determine which of themultiple requests to service. This selection can be done, for example,by determining which of the multiple requests will provide the largestpayment for use of the excess space, which of the two requests willresult in an information insert being included that is complementary tothe primary component, and/or the like.

In yet other cases, the computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions executable by the microprocessor to access a prioritydefinition. This priority definition provides at least some of the basisfor the aforementioned process of identifying the information insert(s)for inclusion. Thus, for example, such a priority definition can be usedto determine which of two or more competing information inserts areselected to utilize excess space. More specifically, the prioritydefinition can include one or more of: a relationship between theprimary component and one or more information inserts; a relationshipbetween an entity associated with the primary component and entitiesassociated with one or more information inserts; and an amount of excessspace required by one or more information inserts.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods forallocating excess space associated with a primary component. Suchmethods include determining the excess space associated with the primarycomponent. This can be done by weighing the contents associated with aprimary component and determining an amount of weight that can be addedto the primary component without exceeding an increment in the postagerequired to send the primary component. Alternatively, or in addition,this can include identifying any open areas on the primary component.Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate a variety of other ways to determine excess space availablein relation to a primary component. Such methods further includeaccessing a priority definition that includes information associatedwith one or more information inserts. Based at least in part on thepriority definition, one or more of these information inserts can beidentified as compatible with the excess space, and these identifiedinformation inserts can then be associated with a package that includesthe primary component.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention provide methods forincorporating a customized information insert into an excess space. Suchmethods include providing a control interface that is operable toreceive a request to associate an information insert into a definedexcess space, and determining an actual excess space compatible with theinformation insert. Based at least in part on the request, theinformation insert associated with the request is associated with theprimary component. Further, a payment amount in association with theinserted information insert can be requested from the entity for whichthe information insert was included.

The summary provides only a general outline of the embodiments accordingto the present invention. Many other objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention will become more fully apparent from the followingdetailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the figures which aredescribed in remaining portions of the specification. In the figures,like reference numerals are used throughout several figures to refer tosimilar components. In some instances, a sub-label consisting of a lowercase letter is associated with a reference numeral to denote one ofmultiple similar components. When reference is made to a referencenumeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intendedto refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of a primary component and/or insertfolding system useful in relation to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a simplified schematic of a mail inserting andprocessing system useful in relation to various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an overall view of a portion of a mail inserting andprocessing system of FIGS. 2;

FIG. 4 is a system in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention including an inserter and processor coupled to an externalcontrol set;

FIG. 5 is another system in accordance with various embodiments thepresent invention including an external controller and control set;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary interface useful in relation to variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a system for allocating excess space associated with a primarycomponent in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for allocating excessspace in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a competitive bid process inrelation to allocating excess space in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides systems and methods for assembling amailing. The mailing can include one or more offer items along with oneor more inserts. As used herein, an offer item can be any document oritem that is scheduled to be sent to a given recipient. Thus, forexample, an offer item can be a credit card, a credit card statement, aninsurance bill, a phone bill, a driver's license renewal, an income taxform, or the like. As used herein, an insert can be any secondaryinformation, document, or card provided to the recipient ancillary tothe offer item. For example, an insert can be an advertisement, aninformational document, a notice, an identification or value card, afalse credit card provided as an incentive to obtain an actual creditcard, a portion of the offer item itself including an informational ofadvertising message, and the like. As used herein, informationalmessages can be text, color coding, graphics, or otherwise communicativemessage.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide for determiningwhich inserts are to be combined with a given offer item. Thisdetermination is made by applying a rule set to a decision informationupon reception of an external tickler. As used herein, a rule set can beany set of rules that define a set of inserts that are to be provided toa particular recipient. For example, the rule set can indicate that aparticular insert is to be provided to all recipient's within a givenzipcode that are over a defined age. As another example, the rule setmay include a weight limitation that indicates that all of a certaintype of inserts should be included up to a given weight of the mailing.Further examples can decision based on shoe size, income, sex, pastpurchase history, current affiliations with groups or credit cards, orthe like. Alternatively, an interface can be provided to allowdefinition of the rule set that provides a virtual weight of a givenmailing. Thus, for recipients that do not represent a high potential forreturn, only a limited weight mailing may be provided, while a highpotential return recipient may receive a heavier mailing. Based on thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate the large number and variety of rule sets that can be definedto operate on any type of decision information. Using such an invention,the process of preparing offer items and/or inserting a defined insertset with an offer item can be computer controlled, and tailored tocreating effective, direct mailings to individual recipients.

Further, as used herein, decision information is the data thatdetermines whether a given rule set applies. Thus, in the precedingexample, the decision information includes, but is not limited to, arecipient's age and address, or other characteristics or attributes. Asused herein, an external tickler is trigger or event defined by anentity other than the entity responsible for performing the assemblyprocess. Thus, for example, the present invention can include an entityproviding an offer item file that includes statements to be mailed toone or more recipient's associated with the entity. In addition, theentity can provide a rule set and decision information, along with anexternal tickler indicating when the process of assembling and mailingshould begin. As one of many advantages, using such an external ticklerallows an external entity to provide an insert set based on an unlimitednumber of decision points, and on non-standard decision points. Suchdecision points can be almost any conceivable point of information insuch a system triggered externally. Further, such an external ticklerprovides a mechanism whereby entities that are not otherwise processingon the system can access the system capabilities. Such accessingentities can thus access various efficiencies associated with postaldiscounts, including sophisticated weight management facilities andtools, white space management facilities and tools, as well as thevarious decisioning processes. These are just some of the advantagesachieved through use of external triggering, and based on the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate amyriad of other advantages.

Using this decision information and rule set, a computer can determinethe inserts that are to be associated with the offer item. Thedetermined insert set can be assembled and/or folded, and associatedwith an offer item addressed to the recipient. To this end, a folder canbe used in relation to the present invention to prepare offer itemsand/or inserts to be included in a particular mailing item. Thus, forexample, a set of unfolded and/or unprinted offer items can be folded inpreparation for insertion into envelopes by an inserter.

An inserter is a system or device capable of associating one or moreinserts forming an insert set with an offer item by, for example,inserting the insert set into an envelope with an offer item to create amail item. In one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-bayinserter, i.e., an inserter with a plurality of insert holders is used.The multi-bay inserter includes a plurality of bays each holding aparticular insert that forms part of the insert set to be associatedwith the offer item. In one particular case, the offer item ismaintained in one of the bays of the inserter, in which case the offeritem holder is identical to the insert holder. In other cases, the offeritem is maintained in a separate area from the insert items. Inoperation, an envelope is conveyed past various bays of the inserter,and where the insert item in a particular bay is to be included in themailing item, it is inserted. Otherwise, the particular insert item isnot inserted.

The present invention also provides systems and methods for maximizingthe benefit of the mailing, and/or distributing costs associated withthe mailing. The mailing can include one or more primary componentsalong with one or more inserts. Various embodiments of the presentinvention provide for determining any excess white space and/or weightspace associated with a given mailing, and identifying one or moreinserts and/or information that can be incorporated with the mailing.Further, in some embodiments, a competitive bid system is implemented toallow for the disposition of available white space and/or weight space.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems for allocatingan excess space associated with a primary component. These systems canprovide for determining the availability of excess space, andidentifying one or more information inserts that are compatible withthat excess space. Such excess space can include excess weight of anoverall mailing such that a paper insert can be included to fill theexcess weight. Alternatively, or in addition, such excess space caninclude excess white space, or open areas, on the primary componentitself. Thus, additional printing can be included on the primarycomponent at the open areas. Also, as used herein, a primary componentcan be any document or item that is scheduled to be sent to a givenrecipient. Thus, for example, a primary component can be an offer item,a credit card, a credit card statement, an insurance bill, a utilitybill, a driver's license renewal, an income tax form, and/or the like.Further, as used herein, an information insert can be any secondaryinformation, document, or card provided to the recipient ancillary tothe primary component. For example, an information insert can be anadvertisement, an informational document, a notice, an identification orvalue card, a false credit card provided as an incentive to obtain anactual credit card, a portion of the primary component itself includingan informational or advertising message, and/or the like. Suchinformation inserts can include informational messages printed on theassociated primary component, or informational messages displayed on aseparate stock and inserted with the primary component. Also, as usedherein, informational messages can be text, color coding, graphics, orotherwise communicative message.

Such allocation systems can include an insertion system, a primarycomponent, and a microprocessor. The allocation systems further includea computer readable medium that comprises instructions executable by themicroprocessor to: determine the excess space associated with theprimary component; identify at least one information insert compatiblewith the excess space; and send a control signal to the insertionsystem, that indicates the information insert(s) to be included. In oneparticular case, the insertion system is a multi-bay insertion system,and one of the bays of the multi-bay insertion system includes a type ofinformation insert intended to occupy excess space in the form of weightspace.

In some cases, the computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions executable by the microprocessor to provide an outputindicating the excess space associated with the primary component, andto receive a request in response to the output indicating the excessspace associated with the primary component. The aforementioned processof identifying the information insert(s) for inclusion can be based atleast in part on the request. In particular instances, a number ofrequests can be received for the same identified excess space, and theinstructions can be further executable to determine which of themultiple requests to service. This selection can be done, for example,by determining which of the multiple requests will provide the largestpayment for use of the excess space, which of the two requests willresult in an information insert being included that is complementary tothe primary component, and/or the like.

In yet other cases, the computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions executable by the microprocessor to access a prioritydefinition. This priority definition provides at least some of the basisfor the aforementioned process of identifying the information insert(s)for inclusion. Thus, for example, such a priority definition can be usedto determine which of two or more competing information inserts areselected to utilize excess space. More specifically, the prioritydefinition can include one or more of: a relationship between theprimary component and one or more information inserts; a relationshipbetween an entity associated with the primary component and entitiesassociated with one or more information inserts; and an amount of excessspace required by one or more information inserts.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods forallocating excess space associated with a primary component. Suchmethods include determining the excess space associated with the primarycomponent. This can be done by weighing the contents associated with aprimary component and determining an amount of weight that can be addedto the primary component without exceeding an increment in the postagerequired to send the primary component. Alternatively, or in addition,this can include identifying any open areas on the primary component.Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate a variety of other ways to determine excess space availablein relation to a primary component. Such methods further includeaccessing a priority definition that includes information associatedwith one or more information inserts. Based at least in part on thepriority definition, one or more of these information inserts can beidentified as compatible with the excess space, and these identifiedinformation inserts can then be associated with the primary component.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention provide methods forincorporating a customized information insert into an excess space. Suchmethods include providing a control interface that is operable toreceive a request to associate an information insert into a definedexcess space, and determining an actual excess space compatible with theinformation insert. Based at least in part on the request, theinformation insert is associated with the primary component, and paymentis requested from the related excess space customer for including theinformation insert. In some cases, an electronic file representing theinformation insert can be included with the request. This electronicfile can be used to create the information insert.

FIG. 1 depicts a simplified schematic of a folding system 100 useful inrelation to various embodiments of the present invention. System 100includes a series of stations adapted to fold a primary component inpreparation for inserting the primary component into an envelope formailing. Primary components processed by system 100 can include one ormore sheets of paper, such as a recipient billing statement, a newcardholder agreement, convenience checks, and the like. In addition,system 100 can be utilized to fold one or more inserts to be includedwith a primary component. As previously discussed, an insert can be anadvertisement, or the like that is directed to the recipient of theprimary component.

As illustrated, folding system 100 includes a receiver 130 adapted forreceiving paper from a paper source 110. Paper source 110 may include,or be coupled to a printer for printing primary components and/orinserts. The printer may print, for example, alphanumeric characters toidentify the recipient, the recipient's address, the recipient's billinginformation, and the like. The printer further may print bar codes andother identifying marks on the primary components and/or inserts. In oneembodiment, paper source 110 is a continuous form paper source. In thismanner, paper source 110 provides for the continuous printing ofstatements, convenience checks or the like for multiple recipients.

In one case, the continuous form sheet is fed into a separator 120.Separator 120 cuts or separates a primary component and/or insert to befolded from the continuous form sheet in order to, for example,distinguish one recipient's documents from another recipient'sdocuments. Separator 120 also may remove an edge of the individualsheet, such as a perforated edge, tractor pins, or the like. Separator120 can be, for example, a Laurenti Cutter, commercially available fromEMC Document Systems, Inc., having its headquarters in Batavia, Ill. Theindividual sheet is received from separator 120 by a receiver 130. Inthis manner, a printer coupled to paper source 110 may print multiplerecipient documents in series, with receiver 130 receiving documents forone recipient separately from the documents for another recipient.Receiver 130 transfers the sheet to a first folder 150, by way of afirst sheet translation component 140. In another case, receiver 130transfers the sheet directly to first folder 150.

First folder 150 performs a first fold of the paper sheet. The foldedpaper sheet is transferred to a second folder 180 by way of a secondsheet translation component 160 and a third sheet translation component170. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, translation components 160and 170 are configured such that system 100 has an approximate ninetydegree (90°) turn for sheets processed therethrough. In this manner,system 100 maintains a small footprint. Further, in one embodiment theninety degree turn helps align the sheet for subsequent folds.

Second folder 180 performs a second fold of the paper sheet. In someembodiments, second folder 180 folds the sheet both a second and a thirdtime. For example, second folder 180 may perform a half-fold of thefolded sheet, a C-fold, a Z-fold, or the like. In one embodiment, aninserter system 200 is coupled to second folder 180. In this manner, thefolded sheet may be transferred from second folder 180 to inserter 200for subsequent insertion into an envelope or the like. Sheet processingtimes may vary through system 100. In one embodiment, the amount of timeit takes a sheet received by receiver 130 to travel through system 100,including through second folder 180, is less than 0.5 seconds. In aparticular embodiment, the sheet passes from receiver 130 though secondfolder 180 in about 140 milli-seconds. System 100 is controlled by acontroller 190, which is electrically coupled to system 100. Additionaldescription of various folders useful in relation to the presentinvention, including the previously described folder can be found inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/029,122, entitled “Sheet FoldingSystems And Methods,” that was previously incorporated herein byreference. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that a number of folding systems andmethods can be utilized in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, greater detail of inserter system 200 isprovided. In particular, FIGS. 2 depict a simplified schematic of a mailprocessing and inserting system 200 useful in relation to the presentinvention. System 200 includes a series of stations adapted to producean envelope stuffed with a desired number of primary components and/orinserts. System 200 can either receive folded primary components and/orinserts from folding system 100, or can include printing and/or foldingcapability incorporated into the system. In the case shown in FIGS. 2Aand 2B, system 200 includes a printer 210 adapted to print alpha numericcharacters on a statement, a sheet of paper, a card carrier, or thelike. Printer 210 prints information such as an account number, acustomer name and mailing address, a monetary account limit, and thelike, and further may print one or more bar codes. In one case, at leastone of the bar codes identifies which inserts, from a plurality ofdifferent inserts, are to be sent to the customer with the statement orcard.

The primary components (not shown) travel down a belt 212 and arestacked in a stacking unit 214. The primary components are thensequentially drawn from stacking unit 214 into unit 216. In one case,unit 216 includes a bar code reader for reading a bar code or otheridentification mark on the primary component. The bar code may, forexample, identify which inserts are to be later matched up with theprimary component. In another case, unit 216 also reads a number, suchas a three digit number, associated with the primary component tofacilitate proper matching with a card type insert having acorresponding number.

In one case, the primary component is transferred from unit 216 intounit 218. A card type insert is received from unit 220 and matched withthe corresponding primary component in unit 218. In one case, the cardtype insert is glued, placed in slots or otherwise affixed to theprimary component in unit 218. Additional details on unit 220 aredescribed in conjunction with FIG. 3. The mated card primary componentand card are transferred to unit 219. If a processing error hasoccurred, unit 219 deflects the card and card primary component into abypass tray or receiving area 217. Processing errors may include, forexample, mismatched cards and card primary components, and the like. Ifno error has occurred, unit 219 deflects the card and card primarycomponent into a folding unit 221. As previously noted, the folding unitcan be implemented separately. From the folding unit, the primarycomponent and associated card can be forwarded a card detectionassembly, that when an error is detected, such as too many cards or amissing card(s), the primary component is transferred to a bypass trayor receiving area in the direction shown by arrow 123. Transfer mayoccur along a conveyor belt, a track, or the like.

In one particular case, system 200 operates to place card type insertsin primary components, but is not used for processing further paperinserts. In this case, the primary component and associated card typeinsert(s) are passed down conveyor 222 in the direction of arrow 123,and removed from system 200. The primary components may, if desired, betransported to an envelope stuffing apparatus, a mail room or the like.In another case, system 200 operates to place paper insert sets withprimary components, but not card type inserts. In yet another case,system 200 operates to place both card and paper type inserts withprimary components. In such cases, if the card detection assembly doesnot indicate an error, primary components are then passed to a paddlewheel assembly 224 to continue processing. As shown in FIG. 1A, paddlewheel 224 operates to place the primary component and card typeinsert(s) on a track or conveyor belt 230. The primary componentsproceed down belt 230, passing under a second paddle wheel assembly 226.In one case, second paddle wheel assembly 226 places a second insert ontop of the primary components as they pass underneath. For example, thesecond insert may be an advertisement, additional information pertinentto the recipient or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a second printer 260 is adapted to print out thenumerical characters and/or bar codes on an insert or a set of inserts.For example, printer 260 may further print one or more pages ofadvertisements or other inserts for a given recipient. In one case,printer 260 is electrically coupled to the bar code reader in unit 216.In this manner, bar code reader 216 may read the bar code or otheridentification mark on the primary component processed through unit 216and inform printer 260 that an insert set is needed to be matched upwith the primary component. In one case, controller 240 facilitates thecommunication between unit 216 and printer 260. The printed insert setpasses from printer 260 along a belt 262 and into a stacking unit 264.Stacking unit 264 is similar to stacking unit 214, and performs similarfunctions. For example, stacking unit 264 stacks a plurality of primarycomponents, and then passes the primary components one at a time to unit266. Unit 266 is similar to unit 216, and may include a bar code readerfor reading a bar code or other identification marks on the primarycomponent. The insert then passes to unit 268, where the insert can befolded. The insert passes into unit 270, which in one case is adeflection unit 270 similar to unit 219 described above. Deflection unit270 passes inserts to bypass station 272 in the event the insert is notto be matched with the present primary component. For example, bypassunit 272 receives inserts that may have been printed in error.Deflection unit 270 further directs inserts to belt 127 for transportinginserts to second paddlewheel 226. The insert is then matched with theprimary component as described above.

In some embodiments, printer 260 is not included as all inserts areprovided from pre-prepared inserts loaded into one or more insert baysor holders 228 that can be loaded with a variety of inserts as depictedin FIG. 3. Alternatively, both printed and pre-prepared inserts can beincluded. The matched insert sets and primary components proceed along atrack or conveyor belt 230, passing under one or more insert bays 228.FIG. 2B depicts three (3) insert bays 228, although a larger or smallernumber of bays 228 also may be used within the scope of the presentinvention. In one particular case, system 200 includes as many as onehundred insert bays 228.

Insert bays 228 contain inserts, such as paper advertisements andinformational inserts. These inserts may be added to a particularrecipient's stack of primary components and/or card type inserts passingbeneath on belt 230. Inserts contained within bays 228 may beselectively chosen based upon a number of criteria, including customerinterest and other factors. For the system 200 shown in FIG. 2B havingthree bays 228, some recipients may receive all three inserts, otherrecipients may receive less than three inserts, while still otherrecipients may receive no inserts. The selected combination of insertsforms the insert set that is provided to the given recipient. In somecases, the insert set can include inserts from inert bays 228, theaforementioned card type inserts, and/or printed inserts created onprinter 260.

In one case, the primary components traverse along belt 230 positionedunderneath bays 228. In one case, belt 230 provides continuous, fluidmovement of the statements. In another case, belt 230 providesincremental movement of the primary components, with each primarycomponent stopping below each bin 228. Inserts desired to be matchedwith a particular recipient's primary component are pulled from bays 228and placed atop the recipient's statement. Upon reaching the end of belt230, the stack of primary components and associated inserts be sent tothe recipient are transferred to unit 232 for insertion into anenvelope.

The now stuffed envelope, containing a particular recipient's primarycomponent, printed paper inserts, pre-prepared inserts, and/or card typeinserts is sent to an envelope sealing unit 234. Envelope sealing unit234 sprays a mist of water or other fluid on the envelope flap andproceeds to seal the moistened flap. Unit 234 further flips the stuffedenvelope over to expose the envelope front. In one case, envelopesprocessed through system 200 are windowed envelopes, with informationprinted on the primary component or other insert exposed through theenvelope window. The envelopes proceed into one or more diverters 236.Diverters 236 may divert stuffed envelopes for a variety of reasons,including, but not limited to, additional processing errors, andenvelopes requiring special or additional handling. In one case, atleast one diverter 236 is used for stuffed envelopes to be sent byovernight courier, such as Federal Express. In another case, at leastone diverter is used to receive envelopes intended to be sent byairmail, or the like. Envelopes intended for standard mail delivery,such as by the U.S. Postal Service First Class Delivery, are put pastdiverters 236 along belt or track 237 and proceed to a first postagemeter 238. First postage meter 238 applies a one ounce postage toenvelopes requiring only a single ounce of postage. Envelopes proceed toa second postage meter unit 240, in which a second ounce of postage isapplied. Alternatively, the entire two ounce postage is applied insecond postage meter station 241, with the envelope passing firstpostage meter station 238 without receiving postage. The envelopes havenow been properly stuffed, sealed, and postaged and proceed to an outputstation 242. The envelopes then may be received from output station 242for delivery to the intended customers.

System 200, in one case, includes one or more controllers 240 formonitoring and/or controlling the process through system 100. Anoperator may view the status of documents on the computer screenassociated with a particular controller 240, and/or input data as neededinto controller 240 to facilitate operation of system 200. Further,controllers 240 facilitate the coordination between printers 210, 260,bar code readers in system 200 and insert bays 228, to ensure eachrecipient receives the desired inset set. Additional information aboutan inserter similar to that previously described can be found in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/045,589, entitled “System And Methods OfProviding Inserts Into Envelopes,” which was previously incorporatedherein for all purposes. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of insertersand/or processing systems can be used in relation to the presentinvention. For example, another insertion system is disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/036,653, entitled “Mail HandlingEquipment And Methods,” and was also previously incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

Turning to FIG. 4, a system 400 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention is depicted. System 400 includes a controller 410 andan associated database 415 that are in some way coupled to an externaltickler source 425 and a rule source 427 via a transaction medium 420.Controller 410 can be any microprocessor based device that is capable ofexecuting software instructions. In one embodiment, controller 410 is apersonal computer (PC). Database 415 is capable of maintaininginformation in a format accessible to controller 410. Such informationcan include software instructions for operating system 400, one or moredecision rules provided by rule source 427, one or more externalticklers obtained from external tickler source 425, and/or decisioninformation. Such decision information can be provided from an externalsource (not shown), or maintained in relation to the entity providingcontroller 410. Transaction medium can be any medium capable oftransmitting information from external sources to the entity maintainingcontroller 410. Thus, for example, transaction medium 420 can be theInternet and the entity providing controller 410 can provide one or moreweb pages tailored for providing information to the entity. In someembodiments, such web pages can be tailored to provide an estimatedweight of primary component and associated insert set to allow fordefining the rule set to assure that the maximum number of inserts areprovided for a given amount of postage. Such a weight mechanism canapply the rule set to decision information, and identify the greatestnumber of inserts that will be included with a given primary component.Based on this, a maximum weight can be calculated and a postageassociated therewith. Thus, when defining the rule set, one may takeinto account the postage considerations. Alternatively, or in addition,weight considerations can be included in the rule set. For example, therule set may include an indication that only recipients with an incomein excess of one amount may receive up to three ounces of inserts, whilea recipient with lower income may only receive up to two ounces ofinserts. In this way, a provider of inserts can maximize the returnachieved through the inserts.

Alternatively, transaction medium 420 can be some other proprietaryelectronic network. As yet another alternative, transaction medium 420can be a physical transfer medium. Thus, for example, electronicinformation may be saved to a diskette or CD ROM and sent to the entitymaintaining controller 410. The entity can then upload the containedinformation to database 415. As another example, a paper copy of theinformation may be provided to the entity via transaction medium 420.This paper copy can then be translated to an electronic form andprovided to database 415. Based on the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of implementationsof transaction medium 420 and methods from uploading information todatabase 415.

In some cases, external tickler source 425 and rule source 427 can beimplemented in software. Using such software, a rule set can be definedthat will be applied to decision information. In addition, an externaltickler can be defined. In some cases, the external tickler is implicitin the rule set. For example, when the rule set is provided tocontroller 410, it is understood that the assembly of appropriate insertsets is to begin at that point, or within a reasonable time thereafter.Thus, the external tickler is actually the act of providing an order tothe entity maintaining controller 410. In other cases, the externaltickler can indicate a scheduled time. Thus, for example, the externaltickler may be a note or electronic form indicating a time period inwhich the assembly process is to be performed. As a simple example, theexternal tickler can be a date associated with a rule set or decisioninformation set.

In some cases, the external tickler can be provided by an entity thatsupplies inserts to be included with primary components that arescheduled for preparation. Thus, for example, an entity may provide aninsert advertisement that it desires to be provided to all recipients ofan electric bill. In this case, the rule set indicates all recipients ofelectric bills, and the external tickler indicates the next run ofelectric bills. In this way, an advertiser can use a database maintainedby a provider of statements filtered through a given rules set to senddesired advertisements directed to the particular recipients.

In other cases, the external tickler can be provided by an entitysupplying the primary components. In some cases, the provider of insertsmay pay the entity providing the primary components to send out variousinserts up to a particular weight. In yet other cases, the externaltickler can be provided by an entity supplying both primary componentsand the inserts. Sets of the inserts are assemble and associated withrespective primary components on a custom basis based on the decisioninformation and decision rules.

System 400 further includes one or more insert bays 435 that each hold aparticular type of insert described as insert groups. Insert bays 435are associated with an insert set assembler, that can be an inserter asdescribed above, or some other type of inserter. Based on application ofdecision rules to decision information, it is determined which subset ofinserts maintained in insert bays 435 that will be assembled into aninsert set and sent to a particular recipient. Controller 410 can applythe decision rules to the decision information, and provide theappropriate control signals to insert set assembler 430.

In addition, primary component production equipment 450, such as thatdescribed above, can prepare one or more primary components to be sentto various recipients. In some cases, the received external tickler canindicate a primary component to be prepared, and a date on which theprimary component is to be sent. In various cases, the primarycomponents are provided from an external source, and included in one ofthe insert bays 435, rather than be produced. In such cases, the primarycomponent production equipment may go unused, or is not included insystem 400.

Using primary component association equipment 440, primary componentsare associated with respective insert sets that were customized for theindividual recipients of the primary components. With the primarycomponents associated with respective insert sets, the primarycomponents and insert sets can be stuffed into envelopes and postagedfor mailing.

Turning to FIG. 5, a system 500 depicts other embodiments of the presentinvention. System 500 includes a communication network 510 communicablycoupling controller 410 with an additional controller 421 that isassociated with a database 416. In such an embodiment, controller 421can be responsible for receiving rules sets from rule source 427,external ticklers from external tickler source 425, and/or decisioninformation from decision information source 429 via transaction medium420. Controller then applies the rule set to the decision information,and based on this, provides a command set to controller 410 thatimplements the assembly process as previously described. In some cases,controller 421 is a PC operated by an entity providing the externaltickler. This PC can include software that provides for weightestimation, and a graphical user interface tailored to aid a user todefine rule sets (decision rules), to format decision information, andto incorporate weight information into a rule set as previouslydescribed. Further, the software can be tailored to aid a user indesigning a primary component that will be prepared using primarycomponent production equipment 450.

Communication network 510 can be any communication network capable ofproviding communications between the controller 421 and controller 410.In some embodiments, communication network 510 is the Internet providingmessage based communication. In other embodiments, communication network510 comprises a TCP/IP compliant virtual private network (VPN). However,it should be recognized that other communication networks could be usedto provide similar functionality. For example, communication network 510can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), atelephone network, a cellular telephone network, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), the Internet, an optical network, a wireless network, orany other similar communication network or combination thereof.

Turning to FIG. 6, a flow diagram 600 depicting a method in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention is provided. Followingflow diagram 600, decision information is updated (block 610). This canbe done in a number of ways. For example, the decision information maybe updated by an advertiser that is involved in market analysis andidentifying potential consumers. Alternatively, this information can beupdated by a credit card company, or other company providing accountsfor consumers. As previously discussed, this information can includevarying levels of information about a group of recipients. For example,decision information can include the age, address, income, and sex foreach recipient in the group. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate the myriad of data points that can bemaintained about various recipients, and the various methods ofgathering and updating such information.

In some embodiments of the present invention, decision information ismaintained and/or gathered by the entity that is providing the decisionrules and/or the external tickler. In such a case, the entity providesthe decision information in addition to the decision rules. In otherembodiments of the present invention, the decision information ismaintained and/or updated by the entity that is responsible forassembling insert sets for inclusion with primary components aspreviously discussed. In such cases, the entity providing the decisionrules is in effect borrowing or renting the decision information tomarket via inserts that are custom directed to particular recipientsincluded within the decision information. In yet other embodiments, thedecision information is gathered and/or maintained by a third party. Insuch a case, an entity providing decision rules and/or external ticklerscan indicate the location of the third party data to be used in directmarketing to recipients indicated by the decision rules.

In addition to gathering, maintaining and/or updating decisioninformation (block 610), decision rule information is received (block620). As previously described, such decision rules can indicate a subsetof a particular recipient pool that are to receive a prescribed type ofinsert(s). In some cases, a decision rule tool is provided. Such a toolcan be a graphical interface tailored to help a user define one or moredecision rules. In some cases, the tool provides a graphical interfaceallowing a user to select between more than five thousand combinationsof inserts that can be tailored through a canned set of three hundred ormore decision criteria operating on one hundred or more data pointswithin the decision information. Such tailoring can assure that aninsert can be provided where it will have its greatest effect, but notprovided where its effect is likely to be negligible. This gets themaximum possible effect, while reducing the costs associated with directmarketing. FIG. 7 depicts one exemplary interface of a decision ruletool. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that any number of decision rule tools can beused in relation to various embodiments of the present invention.

Following flow diagram 600 of FIG. 6, the processes of defining decisionrules, and those rules being received (block 620), as well as, gatheringand updating decision information (block 610) are repeated as often asdesired. An external tickler can be received (block 630). This externaltickler, as previously described, is an indication to start the assemblyprocess. In some cases, the receipt of the external tickler initiatesapplication of the decision rules to the decision information (block640) resulting in the definition of insert sets to be included withmailings to particular recipients. Controls are then formed based onapplication of the decision rules to cause the various insert sets to beformed (block 660). In addition, where a primary component is to beprepared, it is done (block 650). Alternatively, the primary componentscan be provided. The primary components are then associated with insertsets that have been customized for the recipient of the primarycomponent (block 670).

Turning now to FIG. 8, a system 800 in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention is illustrated. System 800 can be used toallocate excess space associated with a primary component. System 800includes a database 820 that incorporates information from one or moreprocessing customers 810 and one or more excess space customers 815.Such processing customers 810 are customers for which primary componentsare sent. Thus, for example, processing customers can be, but are notlimited to, banks that send primary components in the form of bankstatements, credit card issuers that send primary components in the formof credit card statements, insurance companies that send primarycomponents in the form of insurance payment statements, retailers thatsend primary components in the form of account statements, and/or thelike. Excess space customers can be any entity that sends advertisementsand/or other informational messages through direct mail. Thus, forexample, an excess space customer can be a retailer sending a productadvertisement and/or a service company sending a service advertisement.In some cases, an entity can be both a processing customer and an excessspace customer. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate the myriad of entities that can act asprocessing and/or excess space customers.

The information about processing customers 810 can include allinformation necessary to prepare and send a primary component on behalfof the processing customer. Thus, for example, where the primarycomponent is a credit card statement, the information maintained ondatabase 820 can include a list of credit card holders to which theprimary component will be directed, a list of transactions attributableto each of the credit card holders, a date that the primary component isto be sent, logo information and layout information for the primarycomponent, and/or the like. Specifics about the primary componentincluding, but not limited to, the size of paper the primary componentis to be printed on along with a component weight of each sheet ofpaper, the amount of printing to be included on the paper, the locationof printing on the paper, the size of envelope in which the primarycomponent is to be mailed, the component weight of the envelope, anindication of any inserts to be included by processing customer 810 andthe component weights thereof, and the like can also be provided indatabase 820. In addition, the information can include a list ofacceptable products and/or services that can be advertised and/orcommunicated in relation to a primary component from processing customer810. Such a list can be organized in order of preference. In oneparticular case, a list of products and/or services is grouped intocategories including highly desirable, desirable, and acceptable.Further, a group of products and/or services that cannot be includedwith the primary component can be included in an unacceptable category.As just one example, charitable requests may be listed as highlydesirable, flower products as desirable, window cleaning services asacceptable, and free vacation advertisements as unacceptable.

Further, the information can include a list of acceptable entitiesand/or unacceptable entities that can providing information inserts withthe primary components. Thus, for example, an entity that iscomplementary to the entity providing the primary component can belisted as highly desirable, while an entity that is competitive may belisted as unacceptable. A number of other entities that are neithercomplementary nor competitive can be included as either desirable oracceptable. Complementary entities are those entities providing servicesand/or products that complement the services and/or products offered bythe processing customer. Thus, for example, a life insurance company maybe complementary to a health insurance company. Competitive entities arethose entities offering competing products and/or services to thoseoffered by the processing customer. Thus, for example, a large insurancecompany offering a wide array of insurance products may be competitivewith a relatively small insurance company offering only life insurance.Further, a floral services company may be neither competitive norcomplementary to an insurance company acting as the processing customer.Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate a number of other basis upon which to gradepotential products, services, information, and/or providing entities.

The aforementioned information can be combined to create a priorityscore. Thus, as an example, where the entity providing the informationinsert is a highly desirable entity, and the product advertised by aninformation insert is a highly desirable product, a high priority scorecan be given to the information insert. Alternatively, where the entityproviding the information insert is unacceptable, and the service beingoffered on the information insert is unacceptable, a low priority scorecan be given. Other scores between these exemplary high and low pointscan be defined based on a combination of the informational message onthe information insert and the entity providing the information insert.Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate a myriad of scoring mechanisms that can be used to combinevarious information and define a priority score. All of this informationcan be maintained on database 820.

In addition, a priority definition can be created and maintained ondatabase 820 in relation to a primary component defined for processingcustomer 810. As used herein, a priority definition can be any rule orset of rules that defines the identification and/or selection ofinformation inserts to be included with a particular primary component.Thus, for example, the priority definition may indicate that apredetermined threshold priority score must be achieved before aninformation insert is even considered for inclusion with the primarycomponent. Once that predetermined priority score threshold is achieved,then whichever information insert best matches the primary component isselected. Matching may be defined as the information insert from theentity willing to pay the most to include the information insert withthe primary component, the information insert having the highestpriority score, the primary component best matching the excess spaceavailable with the primary component, and/or some combination of theaforementioned elements. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate other priority definitionsthat can be used in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

Similarly, the information about excess space customers 815 includes oneor more information inserts including an identification of a product,service, charitable benefit, or the like to which the information insertis directed. Further, information about the entity offering the productsand/or services is provided. This information can be used in relation tothe priority scoring and priority definition as described above.Further, the information about excess space customer 815 can include anamount that the excess space customer is willing to pay to have itsinformation insert included with a primary component. In some cases, theamount may vary based on the primary component with which theinformation insert is to be included. Thus, another priority scoredefining payment levels for inclusion with particular primary componentscan be implemented in relation to a particular information insert. Forexample, where the primary component is a credit card statement, arelatively high payment for including the information insert may beauthorized, whereas a smaller payment may be authorized where theinformation insert is to be included with an insurance statement. Thisdifferential payment information can be incorporated into the prioritydefinition discussed above in relation to processing customer 810. Basedon this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat a number of payment tiers can be implemented in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. For example, a very high paymentcan be approved for inclusion with a primary component from a particularretailer, and no payment may be approved for inclusion with a primarycomponent from another retailer.

System 800 further includes a potential information insert determinationengine 825 that does a preliminary selection of a universe of excessspace customers and/or information inserts that can possibly be selectedfor inclusion with the primary component. Thus, the one or moreinformation inserts selected for inclusion with the primary componentwill be selected from this universe of excess space customers and/orinformation inserts.

System 800 also includes an excess space analysis engine 830. Excessspace analysis engine 830 accesses database 820 and gathers informationabout a scheduled primary component. This information can include, forexample, the size of paper the primary component is to be printed onalong with a component weight of each sheet of paper, the amount ofprinting to be included on the paper, the location of printing on thepaper, the size of envelope in which the primary component is to bemailed, the component weight of the envelope, an indication of anyinserts to be included by processing customer 810 and the componentweights thereof, and the like. All of this information can be utilizedby excess space analysis engine 830 to determine the total weight of theprimary component, and identify areas of white space remaining on theprimary component.

System 800 also includes a priority definition engine 840. Prioritydefinition engine 840 accesses the various information discussed above,and creates the priority score associated with processing customer 810as well as the priority score associated with excess space customer(s)815. The priority scores from processing customer 810 and excess spacecustomer(s) 810 can then be used by priority definition engine 840 todetermine the optimum information insert to be included with theanalyzed primary component. Information relevant to preparing theprimary component and identified information inserts are provided to aninsertion system 860 that can prepare the primary component and includethe selected information inserts with the primary component. Thisinsertion system can be the multi-bay insertion system described abovein relation to FIG. 3, and/or can include the systems described inrelation to FIGS. 1 and 2 above. Based on this disclosure, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of other insertionsystems that can be used in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

Yet further, system 800 includes an accounting system 870 that canprepare statements indicating the charges to be demanded from excessspace customer(s) 815 utilizing the determined excess space. Thisaccounting information can be aggregated with a list of recipients ofthe primary component with which the information inserts were included.This statement can then be provided to the appropriate excess spacecustomer(s) 815.

In some cases, system 800 can further include a bid system 850 forgarnering price bids in relation to a particular excess space. This canbe done in real time where the case warrants, or in a semi-real timeenvironment where the bidding occurs over an extended period of time.Thus, for example, when excess space analysis engine 830 identifies someexcess space associated with a group of primary components, the excessspace can be advertised to one or more excess space customers 815. Theseexcess space customers can then determine how much they are willing topay to occupy that excess space, and that amount can be entered intodatabase 820. This price information can replace other price informationprovided by the excess space customer, and this information can be usedin relation to the priority score calculated for that excess spacecustomer. Thus, when excess space analysis engine 830 is determiningwhich information insert(s) to include with a given primary component,the updated price information can be used to make that determination. Asstated, this process can occur in real time through use of an electroniccommunication to advertise the available excess space. In turn,customers can respond to the electronic advertisement in some limitedtime period with an amount they are willing to pay for the excess space.Alternatively, the bid process can occur on a delayed schedule with theanalysis of the primary components occurring a week or more before theprimary components are to be prepared to determine available excessspace. Information about the available excess space can then be providedto potential excess space customers 815 in time for them to prepareinserts destined for excess weight space, or to prepare information tobe printed on excess white space.

As illustrated, bid system 850 can include a bid engine 845 capable ofpreparing messages advertising available excess space, and communicatingthose messages via a communication network 848 to one or moremicroprocessor based devices 849 associated with the various excessspace customers 815. Further, bid engine 845 can receive responses fromexcess space customer 815 indicating an amount the excess space customer815 is willing to pay to utilize the excess space. This information canthen be updated to database 820 and/or to priority definition 840.Further, bid engine 845 can be capable of receiving information relevantto preparing an information insert to be used in relation to the bidamount. Thus, in some embodiments, bid system 850 can be used to acceptall information relevant to a given excess space customer 815 and/or aninformation insert prepared by that customer. The information receivedby bid system 850 can be used to supercede corresponding informationthat was previously updated to database 820.

Using this approach, an excess space customer 815 can set a baselineinformation insert and/or price to be paid, and maintain thatinformation in database 820. When something changes, the excess spacecustomer 815 can override database 820 without much advance notice.Further, such an approach may include providing feedback from bid engine845 to excess space customers 815 indicating the going rate for aparticular excess space. This could be provided in the form of an outbidnotice. Thus, the excess space customer 815 can potentially enter ahigher bid in hopes of securing the available excess space. In this way,the available excess space can be used at its highest potential, notonly assuring a greater payment, but potentially also a higher read rateof the information insert. Further, because the excess space customerscan be told specific information about primary components with whichtheir information inserts are to be included, the excess space customers815 can define a more concrete bid number, which often will be higherthan if they are bidding upon a class of primary components.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram 900 illustrates a method forallocating excess space in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention. Following flow diagram 900, a primary componentprocessing request is received (block 905). This can be received from aprocessing customer 810 and can be a one time processing request such asan informational message, or can be a recurring request such as amonthly credit card statement. In addition, one or more informationinsert processing requests can be received from excess space customer(s)815 (block 910). The processing requests from both processing customers810 and excess space customers 815 are entered into database 820 (block915). This information is used to update the priority scores anddefinitions associated with each of the processing customer(s) and theexcess space customer(s) (block 920).

A process trigger is awaited (block 925). Such a process trigger can bea scheduled date on which a particular primary component is to beproduced, an external tickler, or the like. As used herein, an externaltickler is trigger or event defined by an entity other than the entityresponsible for performing the assembly process of primary componentsand information inserts. Where a process trigger is received (block925), the excess space associated with a primary component is determined(block 930). This can be done by calculating the weight of all elementsassociated with the primary component to determine excess weight space,and/or identifying open areas or excess white space associated with theprimary component by analyzing open space on the particular primarycomponent. Excess weight space may be determined by aggregating theweight of each element included with the primary component, andsubtracting that weight from the next incremental weight on the postagescale. Thus for example, if it costs a defined amount to send a mailingweighing one ounce, and the calculated weight of the primary componentis one half of an ounce, the excess weight is one half of an ounce.Additional information about weighing systems and methods for weighingthat can be used in relation to the present invention are disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/028,888, entitled “Weight MeasuringSystems And Methods,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/232,045,entitled “Weight Measuring Systems And Methods For Weighing Items.” Eachof the aforementioned patent applications were previously incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

The priority definition is then accessed (block 935) along withinformation about various information inserts. Using this information,one or more information inserts are identified to utilize the excessspace (block 940). In some cases, this can be one or more informationinserts from the same excess space customer 815. Further, one or more ofthe information inserts can be a white space insert, while one or moreother information inserts can be weight space inserts. Alternatively,the identified information inserts may include one or more informationinserts from one excess space customer 815, and one or more otherinformation inserts from another excess space customer 815.

The primary component and identified information inserts are thenprocessed and/or assembled by an insertion system (block 945). This caninclude inserting weight space information inserts using a multi-bayinserter, and/or printing white space information inserts onto theprimary component. These prepared packages of information insert(s) andprimary component are sent to the intended recipients of the primarycomponents. Then, a bill requesting payment for sending the informationinserts is prepared and sent to the excess space customer(s) 815 forwhich the operation was performed (block 950).

Turning now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram 1000 illustrates a competitivebid process that can be used in relation to allocating excess space inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Flow diagram1000 could be implemented, for instance, between blocks 930 and 935 offlow diagram 900. Following flow diagram 1000, an initial determinationis made to select potential excess space customers (block 1005). Thus,for example, a processing customer for which the primary component isbeing mailed may indicate that a particular excess space customer is notacceptable. Accordingly, an advertisement for available excess spaceassociated with the processing customer will not be provided to theexcluded excess space customer.

In addition, a description of excess space identified in block 930 isprepared (block 1010). This description can include, but is not limitedto, an indication of excess weight space available, an indication ofexcess white space available, an indication of the type of primarycomponent, and/or an indication of the processing customer 810 issuingthe primary component. This description information can then be sent toone or more potential excess space customers (block 1020). In somecases, this description information is disseminated by email or someother form of electronic communication such as posting the informationon a website.

In addition, one or more bids requesting some or all of the excess spacecan be received (block 1030). This bid information can be incorporatedinto database 820 on a temporary basis where it can be used in relationto determining the compatible information inserts as described inrelation to block 940 (block 1040). Based on this disclosure, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that this bid process can beiterative allowing multiple excess space customers 815 to compete forthe advertised excess space, and for excess space customers to enterprogressively larger bids to assure access to the advertised excessspace.

In a specific example of a competitive bid process that can be used inrelation to allocating excess space, assume a billing statement clientto have 500,000 active accounts that qualify as families with youngchildren or families expecting a newborn. An automobile manufacturerwants to buy ad space on billing statements to these accounts to promoteits new mini-van. The space is made available to a number of suchautomobile manufacturers via an auction. All potential bidders areapprised of the date, time and rules of the auction via an on-linereal-time application. The auction is conducted on-line in real-time andthe highest bidder wins the ad space. The ad is in full color and on theactual billing statement.

In another specific example, several few billing statement clients joina coop where their accounts are grouped to maximize ad space. The coopsigns up for receiving data triggers from a 3rd party consumer datacompany. One of these triggers identifies new homeowners within the pastweek. The coop identifies 75,000 active accounts that qualify as newmovers in the last week. A home improvement retailer would like to sendletters with $50 coupons for their latest promotional item. There areother home improvement retailers that would like a chance to buy thatletter opportunity with category exclusivity especially since thetrigger data is so timely (within the past week). Potential bidders arenotified of the date, time and rules of the auction event. The auctionis conducted on-line real-time and the highest bidder wins theadvertising correspondence.

The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarityand understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changesand modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appendedclaims. For example, the present invention has been discussed inrelation to particular folding and insertions systems, however, variousother of such systems can be used in relation to the present invention.Accordingly, it should be recognized that many other systems, functions,methods, and combinations thereof are possible in accordance with thepresent invention. Thus, although the invention is described withreference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodimentsand figures are merely illustrative, and not limiting of the invention.Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by theappended claims.

1. A method of allocating excess space associated with a primarycomponent, the method comprising: determining the excess spaceassociated with the primary component; identifying at least oneinformation insert compatible with the excess space; providing an outputadvertising the excess space; receiving a request in response to theoutput, wherein the request is based at least in part on the at leastone information insert; and associating the at least one informationinsert with the primary component. 2-20. (canceled)